Former national shuttler Datuk Lee Chong Wei has been busy since announcing his retirement 14 months ago.
Besides being appointed the chef de mission for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which has now been rescheduled to next year, he is promoting Aisportz’s virtual fitness challenge which promises unique prizes and event T-shirts.
“The initial plan was to have a run for my fans but then the government announced the MCO (Movement Control Order) on March 18,” said Lee.
“During that period, I was thinking of ways to encourage people to stay fit and healthy. That’s when the idea of a virtual run came about as everyone can compete while staying safe.
“The 5km virtual run is the first of 12 challenges and special prizes are in store,” added the Olympian.
But why 12 challenges?
“Because I won 12 Malaysia Open crowns!” revealed Lee.
“So for each challenge, the event T-shirt will have the mascot of the activity while the sleeves will have the date of my Malaysia Open victory, including the score of the final and the name of my opponent.
“The colour of the event T-shirt will match the colour of the shirt I wore in each Malaysia Open final. The participants will earn a medal for each event they complete and when you combine all 12 medals, it will resemble a shuttlecock!”
Below is how the combined medals would look like,
“I really wanted the medals to be special and Royal Selangor delivered some special pewter medals. The medals are twice the weight of a SEA Games medal!”
He said although the entry fee is RM97, it barely covers the cost of the T-shirts and medals.
“These events are not about making money but to encourage people to stay fit and healthy.”
Lee added he would introduce one challenge every three months for now, and that hopefully, by the time the grand finale comes around, it will be safe to organise an outdoor event for the participants.
“I will reveal the other activities closer to the event dates. I hope the people will take up the challenge,” said Lee.
Separately, today is the 144th day of the MCO and this is the eighth weekly edition of ‘The MCO Diaries’.
SEVEN NEW COVID-19 CASES TODAY
There are seven new cases today.This brings the total to 9,070 cases. The good news is there were no deaths in the past eight days so fatalities remain at 125. Sadly, there are still 24 active clusters.
Last week, thousands turned up at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex when former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was convicted. This week, the hope is there won’t be another Kuala Lumpur Court Complex cluster after quite a number of MPs and Lim Guan Eng supporters turned up yesterday as the former Finance Minister claimed trial to a corruption charge.
For the record, the number of Covid-19 cases worldwide is 19.5 million – nearly four million up from a fortnight ago.
AMIRUDIN’S SWEET 16
Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari is a diehard Liverpool fan and on Friday, he was presented with the Reds’ new home kit by Al-Ikhsan chief executive officer Vach Pillutla.
Asked about the significance of the No. 16 on the Liverpool jersey, Amirudin said: “It is a lucky number as I’m the 16th Selangor Menteri Besar.
“I’m also the assemblyman for Sungai Tua whose state constituency is N16.
“And 2016 was the last time I was manager of the Selangor football team. So the number 16 has been quite memorable for me,” he said.
APANAMA!
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced the formation of a new Malay political party on Friday.
He will be chairman of the yet-to-be registered and named political party while his son, Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, will be the president.
This joke made its round after his announcement: ‘Mahathir should name his new party Action Party of National Malays or APANAMA!’
Sounds legit, although this was the tweet of the day.
Parti baru Mahathir sepatutnya dinamakan BERSARA
— DS Rosmah (@callmedatinseri) August 7, 2020
SPICE IT UP
Here are seven uses for chilli paste.
THE BEST OF LEE CHONG WEI
Instead of a musical signoff, we end this week’s diaries with a tribute to Datuk Lee Chong Wei.
